China
Four months across China — dated and verified. The cities we’d go back to, the routes we’d repeat, and the ones we’d skip.
Best places to visit in China
Four cities and one valley we would absolutely go back to. Skip the rest until you have time.
Shanghai
Chengdu
Yangshuo
Xi’an
Itineraries
Our actual routes — not the polished ones that fit a guidebook page.
South China classics
A first-timer route that hits the iconic landscapes plus enough city to feel the contrast. Easy logistics, mostly trains.
Tibetan plateau loop
High-altitude, low-traffic. Requires acclimatisation days and a Chinese-speaking driver — we have notes on both.
North-meets-south long trip
For travellers with the time to see the country end-to-end. High-speed rail throughout, one night-train if you want the experience.
Unique experiences
The handful of things you should not skip — and a few you can.
Sleep in a Beijing hutong courtyard
Forget the chains — book a hutong courtyard guesthouse for two nights and walk the alleys at dawn. We have a shortlist of three.
Cycle Yangshuo’s karst valleys
Take the Lhasa railway
Eat at a Chengdu hot-pot stall
Must-visit cities
The three urban anchors — choose at least two before you start booking the smaller stuff.
Beijing
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Map of China
Weather in China
Continental north, subtropical south. April–May and September–October are the sweet spots almost everywhere — just avoid Chinese New Year and Golden Week (Oct 1–7).
FAQ
Do I need a visa?
Most nationalities do, but China has rolled out increasingly generous transit-visa-free policies in 2024–25 (up to 240 hours for 54 countries). Check the latest at the official China visa portal before booking.
Is it safe?
Yes — exceptionally so in our experience. Petty theft is rare in major cities and women travelling solo report feeling comfortable in most places. The bigger friction is language, not safety.
Can I drink the tap water?
No. Use the boiled hot-water dispensers in every train station, hotel, and most restaurants. Locals do not drink the tap.
Will my apps work?
WhatsApp, Google, Instagram, Facebook are blocked. Pre-install a reputable VPN before you arrive. WeChat works for almost everything else and is essentially required.
Do I need cash?
Less than you think. WeChat Pay and Alipay are dominant; both now accept foreign cards. Carry a small reserve in cash for older taxi drivers and rural areas.
How much does a trip cost?
Mid-range is roughly $80–120/day per person including a 3-star hotel, two meals, and one major activity. High-speed rail adds ~$50 between major cities.
Best time to visit?
April–May and September–October are the sweet spots: mild temperatures everywhere except the far north or Tibet. Avoid the Chinese New Year week (late Jan / Feb) and Golden Week (Oct 1–7) unless you enjoy crowds.
Travel to China
With a fusion of ancient traditions and cutting-edge technology, China is one of the world’s most captivating countries. From the vibrant energy of Shanghai to the tranquil karst valleys of Yangshuo, China rewards the traveller who slows down: majestic temples, serene gardens, mouth-watering regional cuisine, and mountain landscapes that make the eight-hour train ride worth it.
It is also a country that changes faster than any guidebook can track. Everything below is what we actually found across four months and two visits, dated and verified.
How to plan your trip
China runs on two apps (WeChat and Alipay), one rail network, and a great firewall — plan for all three before you land. Install a reputable VPN at home, link a foreign card to Alipay, and book your first high-speed rail leg on Trip.com so you arrive with momentum.
For a first visit we recommend at least 2 weeks: enough for one of the classic city pairs (Beijing + Shanghai) plus one landscape region — Yangshuo’s karst valleys or the Tibetan plateau if you have the altitude tolerance. With 3 weeks you can do the full north-to-south run.
Best time to visit China
Whether you are chasing spring blossoms in the parks of Beijing or the golden autumn hues of the plateau, timing matters more in China than in most countries — mostly because of two national holidays you want to avoid.
Spring (March–May): The sweet spot. Mild temperatures across almost the whole country, blossoms in the northern parks, and green rice terraces in the south. April and May are our favourite months here.
Summer (June–August): Hot and wet in the south and east, with heavy afternoon rain. This is the season for the high plateau instead — Litang and Yading are at their most beautiful, and the altitude keeps the heat off.
Autumn (September–October): The second sweet spot. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures, and the plateau turns gold. Just avoid Golden Week (October 1–7), when the entire country travels at once.
Winter (December–February): Cold and dry in the north, mild in the far south. Beijing under snow is genuinely beautiful and blissfully empty — but avoid the Chinese New Year window (late January / February), when transport sells out weeks ahead.